What Do You Put Between Pavers to Make Them Stable?

Excavation

• Planning for excavation depth is an important first step in paver stability. If pavers are installed too high above ground, or incorrectly sloped, movement will occur regardless of what you place between the paving stones in an effort to keep them stable. Adding together the recommended base material thickness, sand bedding depth and paver stone thickness will ensure your pavers are flush with the surrounding grade. For proper drainage, the entire installation should be sloped away from your home or outbuildings.

Crushed Stone

• Laying a base of crushed gravel or limestone will provide a stable surface for your pavers. Different stone sizes featuring sharp angles and a little moisture compact best. Consider the soil type for determination of base material thickness. Less stable clay soils may require more crushed stone than sandy or loam substrates. A compaction machine is a necessary tool for firming up the crushed stone base in preparation for a layer of sand bedding.

Sand and Edging

• A layer of coarse sand, similar in granulation characteristics to the crushed stone beneath it, is the next step in keeping your pavers from shifting or heaving. A depth of 1 to 1 1/2 inches of sand, spread evenly over the stone, provides a setting medium for your pavers and protects them from sand joint deterioration due to the erosive forces of wind and water. Edging restraints, installed along the perimeter of your paving project, are also essential to maintain paver stability.

Sweeping Sand

• Once your pavers have been set in the coarse sand, a fine-grained sand swept over the surface of the stone will fill the gaps between the pavers to keep the individual pieces in place. Sweeping sand, unlike the coarse sand used to set your pavers, should feature a fine, even consistency and be kept dry during installation to achieve optimal results. A paver installation project requires proper preparation and attention to detail in all installation steps to be successful.